Chapter 157

In perfect sync, both Hannah and Vincent spoke up.Their eyes locked for a moment before they turned away, almost as if caught off guard.

A realization hit Miles. He finally picked up on the awkward energy swirling between the two. For some reason,Hannah intrigued him even more. At first, his mind had painted her as someone hoping to land a wealthy partner. Instead, she left Vincent and helped launch Nova Tech as a founding partner.

Checking her watch, Hannah didn't want to keep Felix waiting. "I need to get going. Would you mind giving us a moment, Mr. Jones? The paperwork with Mr.Whitaker should be quick,"

Refusing to move, Vincent kept his spot near Miles'desk. "I'm not going anywhere. Miles already pointed out that I am not an outsider," he said. Taking the opportunity to ease the mood, Miles guided Hannah toward the coffee table so they could finish signing the contract.

The moment her eyes landed on the clause for an extra $10 million investment, her surprise was clear."Where did this come from?" she asked.

With a thoughtful tone, Miles laid out the company's reasoning. "We have faith in the product, which is why that investment is in the contract."

Hannah could not help but admire his insight.Satisfied after reading through the contract, she signed her name and extended a handshake. "I look forward to collaborating with you, Mr. Whitaker."

Returning the gesture, Miles replied, "The feeling is mutual," and shook her hand.

That small interaction caught Hannah off guard. She had been expecting him to keep his distance, not greet her with a handshake. Clearly, becoming a business partner changed things-Miles was noticeably warmer.Once the contract was signed, Hannah made for the exit. That was when Vincent reached his limit.Without warning, he seized her wrist and ushered her into the room next door.

Still basking in the rush of her recent win, Hannah did not see it coming.

The adjoining room was a meeting space. Vincent wasted no time, closing the door behind them and turning the lock.

Annoyance flashing across her face, Hannah jerked her arm free. "What exactly do you think you're doing?"

Even Vincent was surprised by his own impulsive behavior. A moment ago, he had watched her trade smiles with Miles, easy and warm,while she treated him like a stranger. That sharp contrast had burned in him. In a burst of feeling, he had dragged her away.

Now, with her staring him down, words failed him. His lips parted as if to speak, but nothing came out at first."I..." She massaged her wrist, leveling a cold glare at him."If you're about to ask me to let Brinley off the hook,you can forget it."

His expression soured. "Who said anything about Brinley?"

Without another word,Hannah brushed past him,heading for the door. "Then I'm leaving."

A series of scenes replayed in Vincent's mind-Hannah's brilliant stage presence, her self-assured smile, and the image of her working closely with Felix, day after day. He could not stand the idea.

Planting himself between her and the door, he caged her in with his arms.

She gave his chest a push, but he would not budge.Abandoning the effort, she simply met his gaze,icy and unblinking, as if daring him to try something new.

A heaviness settled in Vincent's tone as he finally gave voice to the question that had haunted him ever since Hannah's pitch. "Why did you keep your

business plans a secret from me? If you had just said the word, do you honestly think I wouldn't have supported you? Imagine what you could've built if you'd had the Jones Group behind you, instead of relying on Felix."

He couldn't get it. Five years of marriage had gone by, and never once had she spoken of starting her own company. Yet, the ink was barely dry on their divorce papers before she founded one with another man.

Hannah's shoulders slumped with exhaustion. "It's all in the past. No point bringing it up."

But Vincent wasn't letting it go. "What if I insist you explain it?"

With a flash of anger in her eyes, she snapped back,"During those five years of our secret marriage,were you even aware of how your colleagues saw me? I heard every whisper-calling me your mistress,saying I couldn't get a proper job, painting me as some gold-digger feeding off your wealth." Deep creases formed across Vincent's brow. "I kept our relationship quiet for your sake. Didn't you always insist you didn't care about anyone else's opinions?"

He had assumed that keeping the marriage under wraps meant freedom for her-that she wouldn't be hounded by the media wherever she went, nor be obligated to attend social functions by his side.

A bitter laugh escaped Hannah as she met his gaze."You keep telling yourself you did it for me, but in the end, you stood back and watched while people tore my reputation apart. And now you want to know why I never told you about starting a company? If I had accepted your help or let your name near my company, no one would've ever believed I earned my place. I would've always been the woman you kept hidden for half a decade."

Although Hannah spoke evenly, the fury simmering beneath her words could not be missed. "You have no idea how much those rumors hurt me. There were days I wouldn't even dare to leave my own home.So many nights passed without sleep, replaying every cruel thing people said. The doctor eventually diagnosed me with moderate depression. If it hadn't been for Rena helping me, I might never have found my way back. And you-where were you then, the man I married?"

A painful ache spread through Vincent's chest.His reply came out rough and low. "When did this happen?"

Shrugging, Hannah gave him a tired look. "Does any of it really matter now?" she asked, her voice distant."You've just reminded me how miserable I truly was those five years we spent together."

Holding his gaze, she asked, "Are you still going to stand in my way?"

For a moment, he could not move. At last, he stepped aside, rigid and silent.

Nothing else needed saying. Hannah pulled open the door and left him behind. Left alone, Vincent lingered in the empty room,collecting himself before returning to Miles's office,his features arranged in a mask of composure. He sat back down in front of the desk. "Do you have the contract ready?" he asked.